Molecular Composition of Cells Flashcards
Why does Oil and Water not mix?
This is due to hydrophobic effect .Weakly interacting hydrophobic molecules separate from strongly interacting water molecules spontaneously as this maximises strongly .
What do lipid form ?
They form bilayer membranes boundaries of cells , within the cells.
Properties of Lipids
They are fats
Insoluble in water
Contain hydrophilic region caused a polar head region
Hydrophobic , non-polar tail region
Hydrophilic attracted to the aqueous solution water conditions
Hydrophobic region is repelled.
Known as amphipathic molecules .
What is an example of Lipids ?
Phospholipids are an example of lipids and are found in cell membranes .The phospholipid molecules polar head group , contain a phosphate group.
The fatty acid tails composed of carbon and hydrogen it has kink in one of the chains because it has a double bond structure .
The phospholipids organise themselves in a bilayer to hide their hydrophobic tail regions , expose the hydrophilic region to water .
It natural does not require energy. Forming the layer that is the wall between the inside/outside of cell.
What are some properties of Lipid Bilayer ?
Its highly permeable structure , its does not allow molecules to pass freely through it only water and gasses can pass through bilayer .
Large molecules and small polar molecules cannot cross the bilayer and the cell membrane without the assistance of other structures .
Another important property of lipid bilayer is fluidity .The lipid bilayer contains lipid molecules .
The bilayer’s fluidity allows these structures mobility within the lipid bilayer. This fluidity is biologically important, influencing membrane transport.
Fluidity is dependent on both the specific structure of the fatty acid chains and temperature (fluidity increases at lower temperatures).
What is Metabolism ?
the sum of the chemical reactions that take place within each cell of a living organism and that provide energy for vital processes and for synthesizing new organic material.
Cells maintain Homeostasis
Homeostasis of ten involves a dynamic steady state between production and destruction of cellar components .This is energy consuming but allows control of homeostasis .
What are the Molecular Unit of all cells .
Solvents in all living matters are water
Structural Complexity is carbon based
Lipid bilayer membrane forms one layer of the boundary of the outside world.
Nuclei acids are used to store and transmit sequence information semi conservative replication including information about protein sequence .
Proteins are produced by ribosomes according to this information carry out most functions .
Many shared central metabolic pathways
ATP serve as a universal energy currency .
Why is Protein shape critical to its functions ?
By enabling molecular recognition .The enzyme assist the breakdown of other proteins by hydrolysis .
Some amino acid side chains participate in hydrolysis reaction
The rest of the molecule stabilises this arraignment /creates a cleft that accommodates the protein to be cleaved .
